So much garbage has been collected that a helicopter has been brought in to move it out of the area.

Most worrying is the huge number of discarded needles that have been found at the site â more than 1,300 at last count.

Once a popular spot for families and fishermen, some say the area became a hot spot for hostility, drug use and theft.

âSometimes there were confrontations with the residents that took up shelter here,âÂ Jessome said. âYou didnât know if you wanted to go through there or not.â

After trespass notices were issued nearly two weeks ago, residents of the camp left without incident.

With water levels rising, crews rushed in to clean up the area so the trash wouldnât be swept into the river.

âJust the thought of having needles or propane canisters or other garbage or debris or contaminants entering the stream would be absolutely catastrophic,â natural resources officer Kyle Bueckert said.

Residents say such camps are becoming all too familiar. A homeless camp was cleared from the area in March along with 17,000 pounds of garbage.

Bueckert said the camp returned because this yearâs wildfires stretched his officeâs resources thin.

âUnfortunately, since there werenât enough of us and not enough presence around there, the individuals, or some of the individuals, came back to the river and set up camp again,â he said.

Some are asking the province to do more to help the homeless and protect the river, an important waterway for several species of fish and wildlife.

âYou know, itâs sad, [the homeless] need somewhere to go but the river is not the right place,â resident Vicky Fuller said.

In California, the San Diego County community of El Cajon passed a measure that curtails feeding the homeless, citing health concerns. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images Listen Mohammed Aly does not...

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